Pampered by my three brothers: the return of the neglected heiress

327 Simple thing

“I found her.”

Penny held her breath as she met Zoren’s intense gaze

e gaze – his

– his eyes so deep and piercing that it felt as if they were slowly, carefully, and meticulously unraveling the fabric of her soul. The longer she stared, the louder the echoes of her heartbeat became. Even her swallow seemed amplified in her ears as she struggled to comprehend her feelings under such an intense gaze.

Gradually, the corner of his lips curled up as his eyes softened. “However, my friendship with her will not interfere with what I’m trying to build with my wife,” he added, leaning back. “So, you do not have to worry about that, Miss Penelope.”

“Pen…” she trailed off for a moment before a subtle smile appeared on her face. “We’re not at work, so Penelope is fine.”

“Do you have a shorter name, Penelope?”

“I do.”

“May I call you with it?”

“Maybe… next time.” Penny nodded slightly. “After all, we’re still on our first date.”

“Fair enough.” He nodded in understanding. “Then I’ll wait until the time is right.”

She pressed her lips together and hummed. “Mhm.”

After that, a silence slowly settled between them. However, it was not the kind of silence one would want to break it was a silence that one could enjoy.

—

Penny’s eyes slid to the side, observing his profile. For a second, I thought he knew.”

For some reason, she wasn’t sure if she felt relieved or slightly bitter.

Life would have been less complicated if their lives were as simple as everyone else’s. However, Penny, Zoren, and their families were entangled in some troublesome issues and with difficult people. As she had said before, she preferred to stay safe rather than indulge in temporary bliss.

so, it didn’t mean this

by outside the window. I worked hard from a young age and even sacrificed my youth to avoid

for me.‘

to this

unexpected marriage, they were a real headache. On top of that, Zoren’s family dynamics were too

–

–

and he excelled as an adult. Penny had to acknowledge that Dean was a very smart person. If he was the person behind Patricia, then Penny

327 Simple thing

before passing judgment.

again… for his

and I would love to hear your stories from these twelve years. Let’s also take

away from him. As she did, Zoren

he watched her before he, too,

[FLASHBACK]

the playground, pointing at the ground

slowly gave her a doubtful look. “Penny, don’t tell me

quickly defended herself.

again and squatted beside her. “Which part

you see? It’s wiggling

to survive,” he said, watching the worm wriggle its way out of the dry ground. “I think Mouse would eat it if you

you like that about Mouse? Mouse isn’t like

thoughts to himself. Teven want to

we help it?” she pondered seriously, narrowing her eyes as she

intently.

options. If someone didn’t know what she was

he wondered, slowly shifting his

he asked after

him a pitiful look and said, “I’m a bit

you said it’s